Bicycle crime rises 75 per cent in a year
The West Midlands has seen a near-75 per cent rise in cycle thefts during the past year, it has been revealed.
Due to be discussed in the West Midlands Combined Authority’s (WMCA) Transport Delivery Committee next week, papers show that the number of thefts rose from approximately 160 in 2017/18 to 279 in 2018/19. This represents a rise of 74.3 per cent.
Transport for West Midlands’ (TfWM) target figure for the region is just 40 thefts per year, with a previous high of approximately 190 thefts recorded in 2016/17.
And, writing in papers for next Monday’s meeting, they have insisted that work is ongoing to try and bring the figure down.
“In response to this TfWM has developed bespoke action plans for the highest cycle theft stations, led by the Safer Travel Police team,” they say.
“A national cycle crime strategy has been developed by DfT, which will focus our activities. Working with West Midlands Trains, we are aiming to deliver high visibility bike marking events and campaigns at stations to deter thefts over the course of the franchise.”
Ambassador
The rise in thefts has coincided with a sustained drive by WMCA to increase cycle usage across the West Midlands, with new cycle paths recently created and the Boris-bike scheme ‘Nextbike’ being rolled out in Wolvehampton earlier in the year.
Local cycling campaigner David Viner, who acts as a trustee of the Halesowen Athletic and Cycling Club, believes that this could be the real reason behind the rise in crime.
“It is really good to see how the WMCA are working very hard to promote walking and cycling, and Shanaze Reade (West Midlands cycling ambassador) is going to be a great ambassador,” he said.
“With the increase in numbers of people cycling it is almost inevitable the theft of bikes will also increase and of course, theft of cars has also risen.
“My guess is that alongside the opportunist theft of bicycles which are sometimes left insecure, there are probably a relatively small number of criminal gangs operating.
“If the police can target those criminals responsible I think it would make a big difference. People should certainly not be put off cycling or walking”
